A Yarn is Born

Have you ever wondered how new yarn gets created? Follow the story of our process as we create a new yarn and a supporting line of patterns.

Follow this tale from the perspective of the yarn makers at Mountain Meadow Wool (Karen Hostetler and Valerie Spanos), the designer (Jill Wolcott) and the development director (Susan Wolcott) and how they work together and separately to bring a fabulous new product line to you.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

For any of you waiting for the patterns, thanks for your patience. I thought I had everything perfectly timed out so that all the patterns would be available on September 10, but I forgot one thing: that I was working six or seven days a week to keep to my schedule. When I had to quit doing that for my mental health, I was unable to continue on the pace I needed to hit the finish on time. There were also things that I hadn't really accounted for--needing to get photo collages made, needing detail photos, needing to send things back to the tech editor, having a life, needing to work a retail show, having other work that needed attention.

Patterns that are completed and ready for download are: Granite Cowl, Limestone Scarf, Mica Gloves, Shale Beret, Sandstone Throw. The other two small projects, the Nickel & Gold Device Wallet and Sand Pillow, should be available Monday or Tuesday. Printing is in process.

Garment patterns will be available in the next week to 10 days. They are still in process or at the tech editor now. I'm sure even if you are quite anxious for these you would rather that they be correct when they are released, and that process seems to take longer than I ever expect.

Again, your patience (and even more, your desire for the patterns!) is really appreciated. I want the patterns to be as fabulous as they should be.
Jill

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

I've always loved the art I find in nature. Last weekend I was at Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia and the rock there is amazing. The many streams and rivers have worked the rock smooth and other earth movement has broken pieces off. Sometimes outcroppings reminded me of structural art creations.

The colors reminded me of Powder River yarn, which seems to capture all the common mineral colors. Blush tones. So beautiful.

While I would have liked to be wearing the Granite Cowl while on a windy bluff on Monday morning, the nature around me reminded me of the gentle swirl created by this moebius. There's something so organic about the moebius. Practical too! An ideal travel piece as it dresses up a simple outfit and can be worn fashionably and for a little extra warmth.

Friday, August 19, 2011

As I was mentally cataloging the Powder River Collection and what I'd put up here I realized I'd missed the Granite Cowl. It is such a beautiful piece that I couldn't imagine why I had forgotten it, but when I went to grab a photo to put here there wasn't one! When I finally found one it was misnamed--and there were only two photos. Sometimes the good stuff doesn't get its due.

If you have never done a moebius I really recommend it. First, you should check out Cat Bordhi's video, then enjoy a moebius project or two! All the lovely infinity knitting of a sock or glove, but no shaping. A Moebius is a bit of a brain teaser especially if you want to have pattern in your knitting. The cast on is actually the center of the piece and you work outward in both directions. But I've done all the figuring out for you, so all you have to do it do the cast on and follow the pattern.

Then when you finish and put it on it automatically has a nice twist in it. This cowl comes in two sizes so you can make a snuggly one or this one which has more drape to it.

I actually knit this project. It was totally enjoyable and went much quicker than I would have expected because of that great infinity knitting. The larger the piece gets, it takes a bit of shoving the stitches around the looped needles, but when you get to that point, you'll know you're near the end.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

This was the greeting that was heard all over the town of Buffalo the last part of July. Over 5,000 colorful, lively people from all over the United States and Europe gathered to celebrate the culture of the Basque people.

I turn into a bit of a Basque "wanna be" during these festivities, the food is delicious and there are handsome men, beautiful women and lots of dancing, competing, toasting and laughing. The town of Buffalo looked lovely for the weekend and the parade down Main St was one of the highlights. For 100 years, the Basque culture has been perpetuated in Johnson county and every other year NABO (North American Basque Organization) holds a festival in different areas of the country. The Basque Sheepherding families are still a big presence in our area of Wyoming and we work directly with many Basque wool growers so it was fun to be a part of the party.

Mountain Meadow Wool had a nice booth in the park and we were kept busy from dawn til dark talking and showing all the wonderful products we have from the wool grown in the high plains of Wyoming.

Monday, August 15, 2011

When we were in Buffalo, WY last September we walked by a display of garments in the hallway every day. Mostly from the original owner's wife, their daintiness was a complete contrast to the stories about women living in the West.

This piece seeks to impart the dainty details and simplicity of those cotton lawn bodices. Mostly worn under other pieces, they may have been the piece that reminded her that amid all the dust and animals and hard work she was still a feminine being.

Simplicity is never as easy as it looks, but the results speak for themselves.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Here's a perfect way to stay warm and look great. Heidi models our Sandstone Throw in Powder River. The blend of merino and alpaca is just perfect for staying cosy whether you're watching TV, reading, or snuggling in with a smart device. This throw is knit in squares, then joined at the end, which makes it a wonderful project that while large, never gets too big to comfortably work on. The squares are 16" so it folds up into a nice pillow-size square when not being used.

Neutral in color you can see that Powder River looks great with color.